Contiki tours to Phnom Penh

Top things to do in Phnom Penh

Exploring the streets on Tuk-Tuk

Ever heard about the Tuk-tuk? No? Get ready for a fun filled ride. This 3 wheeler transport is the best way to get around the city. But if you enjoy walking head towards city's the French Quarter with wide boulevards and colonial architecture. Head towards river-wards to the 27-metre-high hill of Wat Phnom, after which this city was named. It's the uppermost point in this low-rise city so the view is quite pretty.

The surprise factor on Sisowath quay

This city will never fail to surprise you! Sisowath Quay is city's pedestrianised riverfront here you're likely to witness an aerobics class, local boys skateboarding or the serene sight of monks strolling, in typical orange robes. On the weekends visit the Phsar Reatrey night market where chocolate waffles, cold beer, kebabs and fried insects are all abundantly available. Yes, you heard it right, fried insects! This little tour on your feet will give you the best feel of this place.

Sunset boat trip

Phnom Penh's skyline is just like a colourful canvas! Witnessing the fast-changing skyline from the water as the sun sets is extremely fascinating. As the sun starts to set watch the neon lights flicker. Finally, when the sun sets the sky darkens and the city lights is on, leaving you mesmerized. This is a very chilled out way to see Phnom Penh from an extraordinary angle. You'll get a real sense of the overall size of the city. There are various boatman available but do remember to negotiate.

The best place for bagging bargains

Looking for something light activity to do around? This city is widely and quite rightly considered to be the best place to shop in Cambodia. Under the striking yellow dome of Central Market, you can pick up anything from souvenirs to clothes and some cheap electronics. Also, visit the mazes inside the Russian Market, where not only will you find ethical crafts and Khmer trinkets, once you delve deeper you will discover stalls selling obscure car parts and surreal-looking local fruits.

Phnom Penh nightlife

Get ready to experience an epic party scene! As by night, Phnom Penh takes on another aura. There are a lot of riverfront rooftop bars where you will find sunset-seekers settling down. It's the perfect place to be with cocktails in hand and watch the glowing red ball settle on the Mekong River.

Top attractions in Phnom Penh

National Museum

If you think it'll just be full of old pottery, you are probably wrong. There is pottery, but there is also an inspirational collection of Khmer sculptures and art, which has Khmer Rouge. It's large enough to be comprehensive yet compact enough to see it all in a couple of hours, and bizarrely, a simple map illustrating the former domination of the Khmer Empire draws the largest crowds, united in astonishment upon realising just how far and wide it once ruled.

The sobering Genocide Museum

This is for anyone who wants to understand what happened between 1975 and 1979 in Phnom Penh. This place was a prison from those dark days, now home to harrowing exhibits, information panels, a video room and prisoner pictures. The history lecture continues half an hour in the Killing Fields. There is also a mound-like structure, containing some 8,985 human skulls. It's not easy listening, but it is done very well. We are sure this tour will leave with some serious goose bumps.

Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda

The best thing about visiting The Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda is that they sit side by side while they are two separate complexes, they are visited as one. Anyone with curiosity in Cambodia history should pop through the palace grounds or at least visit those bits open to the public surrounded by their high and intriguing butter yellow walls, and accessed through four gates. There is a dress code for visiting the palace as there is for visiting the temples. It is simply that both men and women should cover their knees and shoulders.

Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre

You might feel the creeps of this place once you see and hear the stories behind it. Choeung is a mass grave for victims of one of the worst manifestations of control, paranoia, and terror created by the Khmer Rouge. Once you have completed the tour of the grounds, there is also a small museum which is worth a visit. There is also a film-screening room, with a short 15-minute film screened on a loop.

Wat Phnom

Anyone in this city will recommend you to visit this site. Wat Phnom, a religious site, sits on the only hill in Phnom Penh. It has a lively, day out atmosphere to it, with an oversize clock built into the hillside, numerous hawkers ambling around, and families with kids wandering and enjoying the shade. A long staircase, guarded by nagas, garudas and lions, leads to the top of the hill, where you can check out the ‘Wat' and the view.

Where to eat and drinkin Phnom Penh

Brooklyn Bistro

Popular with Phnom Penh expats, this stylish American diner is located near Russian market area. They have the largest pizzas in town, around 16 inches. Plus they have dedicated menu of wings. Make sure you save some room for the best cheesecake around. 20 St 123, Phnom Penh

Yi Sang

The riverfront location is one of the only places in the city where you can dine right on the riverside, perfect for a relaxing sunset cocktail. You will find some of the mixes of well-presented Cambodian street flavours like nam ben choc (rice noodles with curry), plus plenty of dim sum and some international flavours as well.Sisowath Quay

Malis

This place is popular for a boutique breakfast. They have a good deal on breakfast for like $3 to $4. It is a chic place that serves traditional soups and salad. The menu also includes beef in bamboo, goby with Kampot peppercorns etc. 136 Norodom Blvd

Chinese House

Housed in one of the city's true colonial-era masterpieces, Chinese House is worth a visit for the ambience alone. The new menu promises modern-day Asian flavours.It is quite affordable as a 3-course lunch is available for US$12.50. They do have a chic cocktail bar downstairs, with regular music events.45 Sisowath Quay